International Cruise (Sea) Passenger Fee
The AQI program inspects international cruise vessels and their passengers arriving from outside the customs territory of the United States.
International cruise passenger fee regulations are listed in 7 CFR 354.3(f).
The Cost and What It Covers
The current international cruise passenger fee is $1.68 (7 CFR 354.3(f)). This fee covers the direct and indirect costs to inspect international cruise vessels and their passengers, including:
- Analyzing incoming passengers before arrival
- Inspecting or preclearing passengers for agricultural products
- Inspecting passenger baggage using U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agriculture canines and specialized nonintrusive inspection equipment
- Inspecting the ship to ensure it is free of contaminants, prohibited articles, or invasive pests
- Inspecting the ship’s stores to ensure there are no prohibited items or that any prohibited items are properly safeguarded
- Monitoring the storage and removal of the ship’s regulated international garbage to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements
Exemptions
Some categories of passengers are exempt from paying an AQI user fee (see 7 CFR 354.3(f)(2)).
Paying the Fee
The ticket or travel document issuer is responsible for collecting and remitting the appropriate international cruise passenger user fees as described in 7 CFR 354.3(f). APHIS provides a Remittance Worksheet to assist with this process. APHIS personnel run periodic audits to verify compliance.
How To Set Up a Payment Account
To set up a payment account with APHIS’ Financial Management Division, send a completed New Account Packet – Cruise Lines to the location indicated on the worksheet.
Companies need a separate APHIS account for each user fee type, such as international air passenger, treatment monitoring, reimbursable overtime, and other types.
Refunds
As specified in 7 CFR 354.3(f)(5)(ii), remitters may take a “refund” of collected user fees, in conjunction with unused tickets or travel documents, by netting the amount against the next remittance. Remitters must note on their documentation that they are taking a refund and provide documentation for passengers receiving refunds directly from the remitter. An Account Credit Request Worksheet is available to help with this process.
Additionally, account holders may request in writing a refund due to overpayment. You must include proof that any applicable exemption criteria were met and that you paid the user fee(s). The request should include the following:
- Company name, address, and phone number
- Contact person
- Taxpayer identification number (TIN)
- Carrier name (if applicable)
- All certified supporting documentation
Send inquiries and refund requests to APHIS' Accounts Receivable Team at ABSHelpline@usda.gov. The team will review each refund request on a case-by-case basis. Customers should receive a refund check within 4-6 weeks after the Accounts Receivable Team processes the refund.
Reimbursable Overtime Services
Customers may request and receive AQI services associated with activities typically covered by an AQI user fee outside the normal tour of duty of the employee(s) providing the requested service. In such cases, overtime charges may be assessed as outlined in 7 CFR 354.1.
APHIS Reimbursable Overtime Services
Refer to the APHIS Reimbursable Overtime Services web page for additional information including how to pay the reimbursable overtime fee.
CBP Reimbursable Overtime Services
Any requests for agriculture reimbursable overtime will be made in accordance with CBP port policy. Please contact your local CBP Port of Entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
To minimize administrative costs, please remit payments as outlined in 7 CFR 354.3(f).
No. Companies must account for user fee collections separately from their other business within their own accounting methods and systems.